Tennessee: Patrons sickened at state senator's restaurant

Tennessee: Patrons sickened at state senator's restaurant

MEMPHI - More than 20 people reported becoming sick, and several were hospitalized, after eating at a Memphis barbecue restaurant run by a Democratic state senator.

On July 14 the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department began receiving complaints from people who had eaten food from the A & R Barbecue restaurant on Hickory Hill. It is operated by state Sen. Reginald Tate and his wife.

Most of those infected had attended a family reunion several days earlier, which was catered by the restaurant.

Health Department spokeswoman Nicole Lacey-Hall told The Commercial Appeal the restaurant closed its doors voluntarily on July 25 pending the outcome of the department's investigation. She said tests on food samples have not yet come back from the lab.